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Monday, April 22, 2019

Methodists edge toward breakup over LGBT policies

There's at least one area of agreement among conservative, centrist and liberal leaders in the United Methodist Church: America's largest mainline Protestant denomination is on a path toward likely breakup over differences on same-sex marriage and ordination of LGBT pastors.

The differences have simmered for years, and came to a head in February at a conference in St. Louis where delegates voted 438-384 for a proposal called the Traditional Plan, which strengthens bans on LGBT-inclusive practices. A majority of U.S.-based delegates opposed that plan and favored LGBT-friendly options, but they were out-voted by U.S. conservatives teamed with most of the delegates from Methodist strongholds in Africa and the Philippines.

Many believe the vote will prompt an exodus from the church by liberal congregations that are already expressing their dissatisfaction over the move.

Some churches have raised rainbow flags in a show of LGBT solidarity. Some pastors have vowed to defy the strict rules and continue to allow gay weddings in Methodist churches. Churches are withholding dues payments to the main office in protest, and the UMC's receipts were down 20 percent in March, according to financial reports posted online.

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9 comments:

Anonymous said...

My methodMet church has 6 worshippers every Sunday BC OF allowing the QRSTUVWXYZ In the church .

Anonymous said...

If the liberals want out, beat it - the sooner the better.

The church is supposed to point to Christ, not wind direction.

Mr Bob

Anonymous said...

exactly Bob

Anonymous said...

We left the UMC over the "progressive" attitudes.

Anonymous said...

That's the issue with organized religion(s)...

The Bible says "thou shalt not..."!
If you stay with the religion then "thou shalt not"!

If you want to do those things - don't belong to those religions...

Anonymous said...

I will NEVER go to Any church that believes in gay marrige .

Anonymous said...

To embrace the secular over the religious is just easier, that's all.

Anonymous said...

If God had wanted men to be mating he would have made Adam & Steve!

Anonymous said...

This is the plan of the Communists. Take down the pillars of decency with buzzwords like inclusion, bigotry, hate, which is what they call you if you’re normal and don’t like that which isn’t.